The interior stacking of the DNA bases in the double helix provides stability through
A) hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions.
B) hydrophilic and van der Waals interactions.
C) hydrophilic and ion-dipole interactions.
D) hydrophobic and ion-dipole interactions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The interior stacking of the DNA bases in the double helix is stabilized by hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions. Hydrophobic interactions occur between the non-polar bases, which are excluded from contact with the aqueous environment. Van der Waals interactions refer to the attractive forces between the neighboring atoms of the stacked bases, which are caused by fluctuations in electron density. These interactions contribute to the stability of the double helix by minimizing the exposure of the hydrophobic bases to water and maximizing the van der Waals interactions between the stacked bases.

The Interior Stacking of the DNA Bases in the Double